Altair Kallig (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kallig) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
boxofmisfits2022-06-15 03:07 am
kallig) wrote in boxofmisfits2022-06-15 03:07 am
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A Sith & A Mage & Hijinks...
It had been a week now since that day they had decided to start traveling together.
It had been nice- traveling alongside someone else, having stories shared with him and even sharing some very heavily edited ones of his own given that edited stories were all he could offer without sounding completely off in the head. It had also been difficult given that Altair had to be very careful to not let even a slip of skin show. Wandering off on his own during times Anders was otherwise occupied to clean himself or to eat or drink.
Still, Altair preferred it to traveling alone- even if he had found a lot of ghosts along the way to talk to. Having a friend among the living was nice too.
As they traveled on this particular day, the light was quickly being replaced with the darkness of night.
Some old and unused path through a forest, that had once been a well-traveled road if the old rock fence he was currently keeping his balance on as he walked along the top of it rather than on the path through the trees was anything to go by- maybe the place had been settled some time ago. Maybe people had lived out here. It seemed likely, all things considered. Maybe they'd find something neat if they kept walking in this direction.
Who knew.
He wasn't so focused on that at the moment though, instead keeping his head tilted back so his face was turned up to the sky- knowing that the stars would be starting to come out soon.
"Do you ever wonder if there's life out there?" He asked his companion, breaking the comfortable silence they'd been traveling in for a little while.
It was a question that had been on his mind, all things considered.
Maybe there was a similar Empire to his own out there. Maybe a Galactic Republic or something like it. Or perhaps all the worlds out there were like this one- still so early in their development.
Altair wondered if this planet had even gotten to the part of history where they were wondering or theorizing about whether or not there was life out in space too. Maybe he was sounding completely insane to Anders by asking.
But then, a lot of things Altair had said and done since they first met probably seemed completely insane, so it really was business as usual.
It had been nice- traveling alongside someone else, having stories shared with him and even sharing some very heavily edited ones of his own given that edited stories were all he could offer without sounding completely off in the head. It had also been difficult given that Altair had to be very careful to not let even a slip of skin show. Wandering off on his own during times Anders was otherwise occupied to clean himself or to eat or drink.
Still, Altair preferred it to traveling alone- even if he had found a lot of ghosts along the way to talk to. Having a friend among the living was nice too.
As they traveled on this particular day, the light was quickly being replaced with the darkness of night.
Some old and unused path through a forest, that had once been a well-traveled road if the old rock fence he was currently keeping his balance on as he walked along the top of it rather than on the path through the trees was anything to go by- maybe the place had been settled some time ago. Maybe people had lived out here. It seemed likely, all things considered. Maybe they'd find something neat if they kept walking in this direction.
Who knew.
He wasn't so focused on that at the moment though, instead keeping his head tilted back so his face was turned up to the sky- knowing that the stars would be starting to come out soon.
"Do you ever wonder if there's life out there?" He asked his companion, breaking the comfortable silence they'd been traveling in for a little while.
It was a question that had been on his mind, all things considered.
Maybe there was a similar Empire to his own out there. Maybe a Galactic Republic or something like it. Or perhaps all the worlds out there were like this one- still so early in their development.
Altair wondered if this planet had even gotten to the part of history where they were wondering or theorizing about whether or not there was life out in space too. Maybe he was sounding completely insane to Anders by asking.
But then, a lot of things Altair had said and done since they first met probably seemed completely insane, so it really was business as usual.
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When they came upon the clearing, Anders paused right at the edge, eyeing the pillars warily. "Why do I get the feeling that if we stop here we're going to disturb some ancient and angry spirit or demon?"
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Orlesian. Altair wondered what Orlais was like. He'd probably met people from there on occasion since arriving, but honestly it was difficult to know.
He supposed he was really just glad to have made so many good friends since arriving, regardless of where they were from. If any of his friends that he'd made were Orlesian too, they hadn't mentioned and he wouldn't know.
He tilted his head at Anders's comment then, "I think it'll be fine. It's a bit chillier here, so I assume it's haunted, but... It doesn't feel bad. Does it really look that creepy?"
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On the other hand, Altair seemed to have some innate sense about ghosts. "But I suppose if you say that it's safe, then we can camp here." Justice would warn them if demons came out.
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As good a reason as any to assume it'd be fine, really. And Altair would be awake for a while, keeping guard while Anders slept. He had said that he'd take the first watch, after all, considering that there were likely less than friendly travelers in the woods. Templars, most likely, that Altair would prefer to not be caught by surprise by.
Moving into the clearing, he made sure to not disturb the pillars. Since it felt a bit colder near them, it was likely that they were more haunted than the actual area itself. That was the feeling he got, anyway.
His cat meowed as Altair gently set his bag down, hopping out to sniff around the ground while Altair set his things up, and hopped right back in once Altair was done rooting around in his bag for the things he needed.
"You can set up as close to me as you'd like, by the way. If being close would make you feel safer."
No teasing, nor mocking. Just sincerity in his voice. He'd hate it if Anders couldn't sleep due to the eerie nature of their chosen campsite, after all.
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He rolled out his bedroll next to Altair's. "Be glad you never got to visit the Blackmarsh."
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"If it's cursed somehow, then I'd probably like it a little less."
Ghosts he could deal with, and even enjoyed the company of. Curses were a lot of work though- especially here where even the curses were different than what he was used to from home. Not that Altair minded working hard- in fact, he loved working to the point of finding it difficult to put his work down- but still. Sith curses and whatever curses were here were two very different things.
"Honestly I sometimes prefer the company of ghosts to the company of the living. They're a lot less complicated for the most part."
Except when those dead were noisy ghosts in his head. That was less pleasant. Still, ghosts usually had plenty of stories to tell, and he liked listening. Both here and at home.
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Yet he'd still followed Birch into that cursed place. He would have done anything for the man who saved his life.
"There was even a dragon ghost there."
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Especially the dragon ghost. Oh he should have liked to see that.
"As you might have gathered I'm a bit prone to wandering into places I technically shouldn't."
Sometimes on accident. Most of the time it was on purpose.
"I'm sure there are those back home who think my adventure in... This part of the world is me finally falling victim to my wanderlust, too."
Not that Altair was entirely too concerned. He trusted his companions back home to hold down the fort while he was here and would return eventually.
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He sensed Justice recall that memory. Despite the circumstances, it was a happy memory. It was the day that began a series of events that would change both their lives. Sometimes Anders would get flashes of Kristoff's memories, and he knew that it was Justice bringing them up.
"Just do yourself a favor and stay out of the Deep Roads."
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Terrible places holding beautiful things in one way or another. That he was very familiar with.
"And I'll keep that in mind. Best if my wanderlust doesn't actually get me killed, after all."
He didn't sound entirely put off the idea, but he would keep that warning in mind and at least be extra careful should he find his way into the Deep Roads. Knowing himself, he probably would. But only time would tell. Reaching into his bag, Altair pulled Katâz out, putting the kitten in his lap so he could pet him. While he'd given a soft mew at being pulled from the bag, the cat quickly settled into a ball of fluff in Altair's lap, purring happily at the petting.
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"I like your company too. And since I'd like to keep enjoying it, I'll be careful."
So long as they were traveling together, especially. Altair did tend to worry more for a companion than he did for himself, after all. And while Altair had made other friends in this world, none had traveled with him the way Anders was doing now- even if their traveling together had come from a somewhat stressful situation.
"Having a handsome travel companion does wonders for my will to be cautious."
His tone was light and playful. But he did mean it when he said he would be cautious. Altair was not naturally inclined to be careful- had a lifetime of rushing into things behind him- but he'd try.
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He'd had his hood and mask off a few times, while Anders slept- even Altair had to eat sometimes, after all- had seen him then. Not that he'd say as much. But even without that, he had kindness in his voice and gentleness in his hands and light in his very being. Regardless of appearance, that was a true sort of beauty that mattered more than anything physical ever could.
"The way you treat people tells me everything I need to know. That's a sort of beauty that only a pretty face could never compare to."
He tilted his head.
"Besides, same could be said for me. I could be entirely gruesome under here- but you still sound plenty charmed by the compliment," Altair said, with a touch of laughter in his voice. Some genuine flirtation in there too, a subtle sort of tone beneath the amusement, but mostly it was lighthearted and playful.
"I'm guessing you're blushing."
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Hawke had wished him well before the two had parted ways, telling him to keep fighting for the mages. He'd been a good friend to Anders.
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Another bit of lighthearted flirtation, and a slight tilt of the head to suggest that he was still being playful, though he straightened back up just as quickly and tilted his head back so that his face was turned up to the sky, even though he couldn't see it beneath his hood.
"I hope you'll let me continue to be. Meeting you has been one of the few real bright spots I've had since arriving here."
He'd had other bright spots too, of course. He'd made other friends. Found a lot of interesting things. He'd gotten a cat. But Anders was definitely a major one. Altair didn't know how long he'd end up staying in this world, but it would be nice if he and Anders would continue to be friends until then.
"And before I turn even sappier, you should probably try to get some sleep. I can sing for you to help, if you'd like."
A bit teasing again, but he would if Anders wanted him to.
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He gave the cat one more pet, before tucking himself into his bedroll. "I won't say no if you do."
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Of course he was also certain that it'd be awkward, to say the least, should Anders ever see him uncovered. But at the same time, Anders had been so honest and open with him, that the time for him to come clean would be coming up sooner rather than later.
"I... Think you'd be disappointed. I appreciate it though."
How could he not?
He turned his head as though to look at him as Anders laid back to tuck himself into his bedroll, waiting until he was comfortable before starting to sing- a soft and relaxing sort of song that would be easy to fall asleep to.
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